Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores addresses the media prior to tipoff of his team's game with the Philadelphia 76ers. Photo taken on Monday, April 15, 2013, at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich. (Special to The Oakland Press/Jose Juarez)

Gilbert suggested Pistons owner Tom Gores relocate the franchise from its home at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where it has resided since the 1988-89 season, at a business breakfast Thursday at the Detroit Athletic Club.

"These arenas don't belong on farm land in the suburbs," Gilbert said. "That doesn't make any sense."

He noted an overwhelming majority of NBA arenas are located in downtown areas.

Owners of the Detroit Tigers, the Ilitches opened Comerica Park in 2000, which was soon joined by neighboring Ford Field just two years later.

The Pistons finished 28th in the 30-team NBA in attendance this season, drawing 14,782 fans per game. The team, which finished 29-53, is currently is search of a new coach, having fired Lawrence Frank last week.